TORONTO -- Toronto FC managers are no stranger to being on the hot seat, given the underachieving MLS franchises woeful record. Nike Free 3.0 Flyknit Dames . Two months before the start of the 2014 season, Torontos Ryan Nelsen finds himself under the spotlight for entirely different reasons -- the high expectations that come with the clubs recent spending spree. As the slogan in the Detroit Red Wings dressing room says, "To whom much is given, much is expected." ESPN commentator Alexi Lalas clearly agrees, choosing Nelsen as his choice for coach on the hot seat during coverage of Thursdays MLS SuperDraft. The 36-year-old Nelsen welcomes the pressure. "Of course. Ive always been in that (situation) my whole career, my whole life," he said Thursday from Philadelphia, site of the MLS SuperDraft. "It doesnt take a rocket scientist to work that out. "Would I rather be in that position or what we were last year?" he asked. An easy question to answer. Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, which owns the club, has raised the bar on MLS designated player compensation with the signing of England striker Jermain Defoe and U.S. midfielder Michael Bradley. The additions of Brazilians Gilberto and Jackson, Canadian international Dwayne De Rosario and U.S. international fullback Justin Morrow have also drawn attention to TFC. "We normally get the wrong end of the press generally so its nice to be, I suppose, on the other side," said Nelsen, who went 6-17-11 last season as he tried to sort out the salary cap and other issues he inherited. "And thats good for the fans and the club. "We know were still a couple of pieces away and were working really hard to get there. But well see." Nelsen, who became the franchises eighth manager in seven seasons when he took over prior to the 2013 season, added two more pieces Thursday by drafting Xavier centre back Nick Hagglund in the first round and Elon left-winger Danny Lovitz in the second (24th). The two players are ones for the future, although Nelsen says that can change depending on performance. "Both are guys that we saw that long-term would have the best positive chance to play for Toronto FC." Toronto sent its 15th overall pick and allocation money to the Philadelphia Union in order to get Hagglund with the 10th pick. "He was gone before it got to us (with the 15th pick) and we couldnt allow that," said Nelsen. "Youve got to get the guy that you really want." The 21-year-old Hagglund won Defensive Player of the Year honours in the Big East in 2013 for the second straight year. In his four seasons with the Musketeers, Hagglund made 80 starts with four goals and 11 assists. The Cincinnati native featured in 31 Xavier shutouts. Nelsen says the MLS Combine confirmed what they already knew about Hagglund -- a dominant centre back whos competitive, reads the game well and is good in the air. "Im so excited, Im pumped," Hagglund said of coming to Toronto. "I think this is the place to be playing soccer right now," he added. "This is where the excitement is happening." Hagglund calls himself a reliable defender -- "an athletic centre back that has the ability to outjump, outrun the guys that are coming at me." The six-foot-one 193-pounder started his collegiate career at forward, moving back to midfield and then centre back at the end of his freshman year after a change in coaches. Hagglunds selection adds depth to a Toronto backline that features captain Steven Caldwell, Canadian international Doneil Henry and Gale Agbossoumonde. Recently acquired U.S. international fullback Justin Morrow can also play centre back. Mark Bloom played well at right fullback when he came in at the end of last season, as the freezing out of incumbent Richard Eckersley started early due to his hefty contract. Asked what he planned at right back, Nelsen said: "Watch this space. We obviously know what we need and I wouldnt be very surprised if something happens pretty soon." It would seem that the club would have to use a one-time buyout to get rid of Eckersleys contract without impacting its salary cup. But given GM Tim Bezbatchenkos knowledge of what goes on behind the curtain at the leagues front office, there could be another outcome. In snapping up Bradley and squeezing a pair of draft choices out of the departing Bobby Convey and Stefan Frei, Bezbatchenko has already proved to be a canny operator. Toronto also has to do something about Argentine midfielder Matias Laba, either finding a way to remove his designated player label and keep him or move him on. Teams are only allowed three DPs and Toronto currently has four in Bradley, Defoe, Gilberto and Laba. The five-foot-10 193-pound Lovitz missed the Combine due to a slight meniscus tear. That may have helped Torontos cause since Nelsen believes he would have turned heads had he played. The 22-year-old from Wyndmoor, Pa., was Southern Conference player of the year in 2013. He had four goals and six assists in helping the Phoenix to a 15-5-3 record and the SoCon title. "Hes direct, hes left-footed, he runs at defenders," said Nelsen. "Hes got a great work ethic. He adds something that we kind of dont really have in our squad." Lovitz had nine goals and added 16 assists in 80 starts at Elon. Torontos original first-round pick -- third overall -- went to Vancouver in the trade for French striker Eric Hassli in July 2012. The Whitecaps used that to select California defender Christian Dean. Nike Free Flyknit Chukka Nederland . Martin Biron stopped 23 shots for his first shutout in more than two years, improving to 3-0 in his fourth appearance of the season. The Rangers won their fourth straight despite another inefficient performance by the power play. Nike Roshe Run Zwart Wit . - Brent Burns kept waiting to see a replay of his shot that struck Martin Brodeur in the back of the neck and left the New Jersey Devils goalie flat on his back on the ice.PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. -- Jimmy Walker and Jordan Spieth are tied for the lead at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, which should surprise no one. Walker went eight years and 187 starts on the PGA Tour before his first victory, and now he cant seem to lose. He already has won twice in this new wraparound season, the Frys.com Open and Sony Open, and he has played 36 holes this week without making a bogey. That included a 69 at Spyglass Hill on Friday. And it helps that Walker has finished in the top 10 at Pebble Beach each of the last three years. "Its definitely not old," he said of this position he keeps finding himself in. "Ive been here before after 36 holes and after 54 and after 72. You do get more comfortable and you start to realize what it takes." Spieth had an amazing rookie season, going from no status at the start of the year to No. 7 in the FedEx Cup and a spot on the Presidents Cup team. And the 20-year-old Texan has shown no sign of stopping. Throw out that missed cut at the Sony Open, a matter of the hole failing to get in the way of his putts, and consider his start. He led after the first and third rounds at Kapalua, where he played in the final group and finished second. He led after 36 holes at the Farmers Insurance Open and played in the final group at Torrey Pines. Spieth had a 67 at Monterey Peninsula, following a 67 at Spyglass Hill, and now heads to Pebble Beach. In his young career -- 27 tournaments in the book since turning pro -- he already has a win at the John Deere Classic and four runner-up finishes. Spieth doesnt see the four second-place finishes as failures, rather learning experiences, which shows a maturity beyond his years. Both still have one more day before they can truly figure out where they stand. Walker was at 9-under 135 and heads to Monterey Peninsula, the easiest of the three courses in the rotation. Spieth was at 9-under 134 and goes to Pebble Beach, which can be brutal in nasty weather. And the forecast for Saturday was not particularly pleasant. Along with a three-club wind on the exposed sections of all three courses, steady rain began coming down sideways toward the end of the second round. There was about a 75 per cent chance for more rain Saturday, and Sunday didnt appear to be much better. More than looking ahead, Spieth was looking behind. He was happy to at least geet Spyglass out of the way already, having opened with a 67 on Thursday. Nike Free Flyknit Nederland. That didnt make the Shore Course at Monterey Peninsula a picnic. "Today was very difficult," Spieth said. "We started out in the rain and wind, and we finished in rainier and windier," he said. Spieth caught Walker for a share of the lead on the 187-yard ninth hole, which typically requires a 6-iron. He watched Kevin Chappell hit first with a 3-iron, and the ball rolled back down off the front of the green. Spieth doesnt carry a 3-iron. "I went to a hybrid," he said. "And I just kind of hit a little stinger cut about 20 feet away. And then it was normally a straight putt and Michael (Greller) and I, my caddie, are looking at each other saying, Well, weve got to play this about a foot out to the right with the wind. And so I hit it a foot out. With about 3 feet to go, the wind just blew it right, just broke perfectly right into the hole." Walkers best holes were his pars, particularly the par-5 14th. His 8-iron came back down into a bunker, leaving him such an awkward lie that he had to plant his feet outside the sand. With a shallow swing, he did well to blast out 12 feet away, and he made the par putt. "That was pretty big to keep it feeling like things were still in my favour," Walker said. He made two long birdie putts, and then hit a drive of nearly 390 yards on the seventh hole -- with the aid of a cart path. It left him only an 8-iron to the green, and he had an easy up-and-down for his final birdie. Hunter Mahan had a 68 at Spyglass Hill, with half of his six birdies on the par 5s. He was at 8-under 136. "Coming up these last few holes are tough," Mahan said. "Theyre uphill, they got the wind, its getting cold, raining. You just dont want to throw away shots. Because this can be a long week, and it could be mentally more grinding than anything." Phil Mickelson had a 73 at Pebble Beach and was five shots behind, even though he has taken 62 putts over two rounds. "Tee to green, Im playing very well, but I havent putted this poorly in a year," he said. "For the way Im hitting it, its a little disappointing because I should have a really good opportunity. And Ill have to turn it around. Its not too late, but Ive got to get it turned around here." Cheap Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys China Wholesale Jerseys ' ' '
